Teach or continue to sub?

Question

In my school district, the jobs are 1000 to 1. Really! There are 1000 people trying to get every one job out there. The only way to get in is to sub for them. They are building 2 new schools to open by Fall '09. I've been subbing for 3 years now but have the opportunity to go into the inner city and teach. Do I get the work when offered in the inner city or do I continue to teach in a district that I may or may not ever get an actual chance to teach in? I don't HAVE to work, I love teaching and want my own classroom. I'd also hate to lose out on subbing and getting in the loop - but that loop will consist of another 999 people. Yikes - can you offer any reasonable solutions???

Answer 1

i think you should go for the jobs at the new schools. think of it this way. although you may not want or need the fulltime right now...what if in 3 years you do...and your still stuck supplying one or two times a month? you may need more money at that time...i really suggest you go for your own classroom.

i am going to become a teacher, and i supply, but if i had the option to have my own class i would jump on it!

Answer 2

If the choice is teaching in the inner city or subbing in a suburb close to where you live, you need to think about what will entail.  Do you have a heart (and tough skin) to work with the inner city kids?  If you do, then go for it!  They need a lot of good teachers who have that passion.

If you don't have a passion for inner city kids, then stick with the subbing.  It gives you experience and you will get your foot in the door.

Now, it would be different if you HAD to work.  In that case, I would always say, "Take the full-time job."  But if you have a choice, choose the types of kids you are going to love working with.

Answer 3

inner city kids are horrible. subs get treated like c**p.

Answer 4

Why not try if you don't like go back to it.

Can a teacher give a homeless kid homework?

Answer 5

Don't get stuck being a substitute (or a para) for too long - because if you are then you'll never be looked upon at the same level as teachers. Silly I know, but true. Schools are a little bit like a hierarchy and subs are down the very bottom. It's really up to you, but I would prefer getting my own classroom in the inner city.

Answer 6

Go with what feels right for you. Inner city, and suburban kids go through the same problems that you would expect. Kids are kids. If you love teaching, than you can reach any kid no matter where they come from.

Besides working in a new school, with new administration is always a cool thing. You get on board on helping making not only a name for the school, but also for your self.

Subbing is also fun, and you can also get a great chance to see if that school is right for you. Maybe the other teachers might rub you the wrong way, or the rules might not work for you. I hope this helps.

Answer 7

I taught in the "inner city" for 2 years and had a GREAT time.  Kids from the city are much different than from the suburbs.  If you connect with the kids, you may be the only person who really cares about them and they would do anything for you.  I would go ahead and take the job in the city.